come back then

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "come back then" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone return at a later time or after a specific event has occurred. Example: "If you have any questions, feel free to come back then after the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

You might wonder why she's come back, then, given the culture of celebrity today.

Independent

Come back, then, in another century to find out if the whole exercise has been worthwhile.

The Economist

"If he wants to come back, then we have to wait and see what happens.

The New York Times - Sports

"First the earthworms come back, then the bees, then the wild animals," Shields said.

The New Yorker

Tomorrow will be fascinating, so be sure to come back then.

The Guardian - Sport

If all the dead could come back then my life would have a meaning. . . .

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Well, will you be coming back then?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When her husband comes back, then she gets pregnant.

The New Yorker

If they came back, then a beating was in order.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another marched west, turned abruptly and came back, then turned west again.

The New Yorker

"If a positive test came back, then obviously the goal posts change," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "come back then", ensure that the context clearly indicates what 'then' refers to. For instance, specify a time, event, or condition for the return.

Common error

Avoid using "come back then" without a clear reference point. If 'then' is ambiguous, readers may not understand when the return is expected. Be specific about the condition or time for returning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come back then" functions as an imperative, typically used to instruct or suggest someone to return at a specified time or under certain conditions. Ludwig examples show it's frequently employed to direct the audience to revisit a source later for updates or further information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "come back then" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, predominantly used in News & Media. It serves as an imperative, directing the audience to revisit something at a later time or under specific circumstances. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, users should ensure the reference to 'then' is clear to avoid ambiguity. More formal contexts may benefit from alternative phrases like "return afterwards" or "revisit later". Overall, "come back then" is a practical and widely accepted phrase for guiding future actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

come back afterward

Like "return afterwards", it highlights the sequence of events, returning after something else has concluded.

come again afterwards

This version uses "again" to state the obvious act of returning is not the first visit.

return afterwards

This emphasizes the action of returning after something else has happened. It focuses on chronological order.

revisit later

Implies a return for further consideration or examination at a subsequent time.

return at that time

Specifies that the return should occur at a particular moment in the future. It is more precise about timing.

get back to it later

Suggests resuming an activity or task at a future point.

be back subsequently

Emphasizes the eventual return following a certain period or event.

be sure to return

A direct request to visit again. It can imply the return visit is highly encouraged.

do return

A more polite or formal way to encourage someone to come back.

visit again soon

An invitation for a swift and quick revisit.

FAQs

How can I use "come back then" in a sentence?

You can use "come back then" to suggest a return after a specific time or event. For example, "The presentation will start at 2 PM; "come back then" for the live coverage."

What's a more formal way to say "come back then"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "return afterwards", or "revisit later depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "come back then"?

Yes, "come back then" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in various contexts.

Can "come back then" be used in business communication?

While "come back then" is acceptable, consider more professional alternatives like "return at that time" or "revisit afterwards" for formal business settings to maintain a polished tone.